HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 033-94 LibraryAssessDistRESOLUTION NO. 33 - 94
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN
SUPPORTING SB 1448 (ROBERTI) REGARDING LIBRARY
BENEFIT ASSESSMENT DISTRICTS
WHEREAS, as a result of the State budget crisis, most public libraries in California have
suffered budget reductions at the local level; and
WHEREAS, public libraries depend either, directly or indirectly, on property taxes for their
funding, and have very limited, if any, authority to charge fees; and
WHEREAS, legislation has been introduced by Senator Roberti to create statutory authority
for financing of public libraries services through assessments on real property; and
WHEREAS, public libraries need a new, flexible revenue source to provide adequate funding
and to preserve public libraries as we know them today.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Dublin does
hereby support SB 1448 (Roberti) relating to Library Service Benefit Assessments.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this llth day of April, 1994.
AYES:
Councilmembers Burton, Houston, Howard, Moffatt and Mayor Snyder
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor
"'SENATE BILL 1448 (ROBERTF'*
LIBRARY SERVICES ASSESSMENTS
The California Library Association is sponsoring legislation to create statutory authority for
financing of public library services through assessments on real property. Under procedures
outlined in SB 1448, a local agency, such as a city or county, can establish a benefit assessment
district by providing notice to affected property owners and conducting a public hearing. The bill
provides due process safeguards for property owners, including a majority protest procedure and
a mandatory election before any assessments can be levied. The bill provides flexibility for local
agencies to set their own assessment amount based on local needs. In addition, the funds are
restricted to use for library services. Assessments may be used for any public library service or
facility costs.
Summary of BIll: The legislation would add provisions to the Govemment Code to allow creation
of assessment districts for library services, subject to approval by the voters, and would contain
the following elements:
Allows a local agency to form an assessment district in any area to which it makes library
services available. Applies to any local agency authorized by law to provide library services,
including cities, counties, library districts and joint powers authorities.
Annual assessments on properties in the district are based on the benefit of library services to
the properties. Zones with separate apportionment methods may be established.
Assessments may pay for all services and facilities provided by a local agency in connection
with a public library.
Notice of public hearing is given by publication, posting and mailing to all property owners in
the proposed assessment district.
If written protests are received representing less than 50 percent of the total annual
assessment, the proposal must be approved by a majority of the voters in the proposed district.
If written protests are received by persons representing more than 50 percent of the expected
revenues, the proposal must be abandoned.
District is established and maximum assessment is set by ordinance or resolution after the
noticed public hearing and election with majority voter approval.
An annual report containing the annual assessments must be approved by the legislative body
after a noticed public hearing, with notice provided by publication and posting.
The annual assessments cannot exceed the maximum set when the district was formed, except
after a public hearing for which notice by publication, posting and mailing has been given.
The legislation is proposed as an urgency measure to take effect immediately upon enactment.
DF: 2-22-94
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Prepared by the Calilomia Ubrary Association's Legislative Committee -o Benefit Assessment Legislation Task Force